Urological Health Drugs Commonly Used in Urology Treating Urinary Problems to Male Sexual Dysfunction By Laura Newman Laura Newman is an award-winning journalist with expertise in clinical medicine, health policy, urology, oncology, neurology, and targeted therapies. Learn about our editorial process Laura Newman Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Susan Olender, MD on August 05, 2016 Susan Olender, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine. She is an assistant professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, where she is also on staff in the Division of Infectious Disease. Learn about our Medical Review Board Susan Olender, MD Updated on June 24, 2019 Print There are numerous drugs used in urology, the medical specialty which deals with diseases of the male and female urinary tract as well as the male reproductive system. The drugs can be broken down by their mechanism of action and the biological function they target. Musketeer/Getty Images The most commonly prescribed classes of drugs in urology include: Alpha blockers which work by relaxing muscles at the bladder neck to improve urinary flow5-alpha inhibitors which block the production of a specific male hormone associated with prostate enlargementAnticholinergics which minimize bladder contractions and increase bladder capacity for people with an overactive bladder The drugs can be used on their own or in combination therapy. Some pharmaceutical companies have also created two-in-one drugs like Duodart which combines an alpha-blocker with a 5-alpha inhibitor. Alpha Blockers Alpha blockers, also called alpha-adrenergic antagonists, are used in urology to treat the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). They do so by preventing the hormone norepinephrine from constricting certain smooth muscles and blood vessels. By doing so, the drug can improve urinary flow in older men with prostate problems. Alpha blockers currently approved for the treatment of BPH include: Cardura or Cardura XL (doxazosin)Flomax (tamsulosin)Hydrin (terazosin)Uroxatral (alfuzosin) Some alpha blockers are available in short- and long-acting formulations. The short-acting drugs work quickly, but their effects only last a few hours. Long-acting versions may take longer to work, but their effects last longer. The choice of formulation is largely dependent on the severity of the BPH. Broadly speaking, alpha blockers may cause dizziness, headaches, postural hypotension (low blood pressure when you stand), or retrograde ejaculation (a condition where semen is ejaculated into the bladder). 5-Alpha Inhibitors 5-alpha inhibitors, also known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, work by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the hormone associated with both BPH and male pattern baldness. 5-alpha inhibitors are prescribed for the chronic treatment of BPH and may take up to six months before the effects are fully felt. 5-alpha inhibitors currently approved for the treatment of BPH are: Avodart (dutasteride)Propecia or Proscar (low- and high-dose finasteride, respectively) As a drug class, 5-alpha inhibitors may cause the loss of libido, impotence, or retrograde ejaculation. Anticholinergics Anticholinergic drugs work blocking the action of a chemical neurotransmitter, known as acetylcholine, which sends signals to the brain that trigger abnormal bladder contractions. By doing so, the drug can reduce the symptoms of overactive bladder in which people feel as if they need to urinate even when the bladder isn’t full. Among the anticholinergics currently approved for the treatment of overactive bladder are: Detrol (tolterodine)Enablex (darifenacin)Oxytrol or Ditropan XL (oxybutynin)Regurin and Sanctura (trospium chloride)Toviaz (fesoterodine)Vesicare (solifenacin) Anticholinergics may cause dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). Other Drugs Used in Urology As a specialty encompassing both the urinary and male reproductive tract, urologists rely on an armory of medications to treat conditions as far-ranging as prostate cancer, urinary tract infections (UTIs), erectile dysfunction (ED), hypogonadism (low production of testosterone), and Peyronie's disease (a condition characterized by a curved, painful erection). To find a qualified urologist near you, contact your insurance company for a list of approved providers or ask your primary care physician for a referral. You can check the urologist’s credentials and certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and various doctor review websites. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Hanno, P.; Guzzo, T.; Malkowicz, P. et al. (2014) Penn Clinical Manual of Urology: Expert Online (Second Ed.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Saunders. ISBN-13: 978-1455753.